PASTURES, GRASSES, AXD FORAGE PLANTS. 77 



percentage of tlie licrbage is, on some areas, composed of the famous 

 salt-buslies, wliile over nearly the Avholo of this immense area tlicre is 

 a varied assortment of grass and otlior herbage ttf a highly iiutriti(jus 

 character. 



The climate of New South Wales, except on some of the higlier 

 portions of the tablelands, where animals require shelter anrainst in- 

 clement weather that sometimes prevails during winter, admits of stock 

 of all kinds being left out in the open air the whole year round. 

 There are few countries of an equal area to New South AV'ales when' 

 the climate is so favourable and tlie herbage so suitable and nutritious 

 for raising and depasturing stock. To give even a synopsis of the 

 valuable herbage growing in this country would require a very lengthy 

 treatise. As the space available is limited to a few pages, a po])ular 

 description of a few of the best kinds of grass, salt-bush, and other 

 herbage which are found in varying proportions on the pastoral areas 

 of this Colony, together with the three accompanying illustrations, 

 will give an excellent idea of the character of the herbage as a whole. 

 The descriptions, which will explain the habits and habitats of each 

 plant, give its economic value and time of seeding, will be as concise 

 as possible to ensure accuracy. To facilitate reference, the herbage 

 will be referred to in the order named. 



Grasses. 



As far as is at present known, there are one hundred and ninety 

 eight species and thirty three well-defined varieties of grass indigen- 

 ous to New South Wales. Out of this number there are sixteen 

 species which, when old, are somewhat dreaded by pastoralists in the 

 interior on account of their long seed awns, or sharp-pointed seeds or 

 leaves. This is not a formidable array, it must be admitted ; still, of 

 sufficient importance to make their position felt and disliked by sheep- 

 owners. Most of these undesirable grasses are really good pasture 

 plants whilst young, and it is only at the season of ripening their seeds 

 that they become troublesome to sheep. The following species are 

 amongst the best of the native grasses. 



Agrostls scalra, Y(i\U. "Bent grass." A slender, tufted grass, 

 growing from 6 inches to U feet high, which, together with two other 

 species of the same genus, forms a considerable perceutage_ of the 

 herbage in some pastures on the high tablelands, more particularly 

 in the southern portion of the Colony. During the suminer months 

 these grasses yield a fair amount of rich herbage, which sheep cat 

 with avidity. 'The seeds usually ripen during November, December, 

 and January. 



Androvogon affinls, R. Br. A "Blue grass." A perennial .species 

 usually growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high, and is generally found 

 in the coastal districts and in the colder parts of the Colony. It grox\ s 

 on various soils, but it appears to succeed best and yield more herbage 

 on those of a moderately strong loamy nature. 1 us species is a 

 valuable pasture grass, and in sheltered situations will make coUMdei- 

 able growth during the winter months ; therefore, it is doubly valuable 



